Shane Doan has once again maintained his preference to remain in Phoenix, but reality is setting in that the cloudy Coyotes ownership picture may finally test the patience of the coveted unrestricted free agent (Getty Images via National Hockey League.)

Shane Doan’s heart remains in Phoenix but you have to wonder about his head.

As expected, the unrestricted free agent continues to say all the right things about his fondness for the Coyotes franchise and his sense of loyalty has never been questioned. His first priority has always been to remain in the desert. But instability of ownership and just where prospective owner Greg Jamison stands with his financial commitment continues to cloud the picture because he’s reportedly $20 million US short in required funds to complete the purchase. As many as 16 teams have kicked the tires on Doan and at least six — including the Vancouver Canucks — have shown serious interest in the 35-year-old winger, who could command as much as $30 million in a four-year deal. That sticker price shocked the Detroit Red Wings right out of the bidding and the Canucks would probably need to move a contract — the one-year, $2.275 million tag on Mason Raymond would draw some attention — to knock down the salary cap hit, regardless of what the ceiling would be in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Doan was scheduled to be in Montreal this week to meet with the Canadiens, who are showing the same kind of serious interest as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Doan earned $4.55 million last season for 22 goals and 50 points last season, but his five goals and nine points in 16 playoff games — and a career 28 points (15-13) in 55 postseason games – are the type of performance, reliability and durability that have several suitors salivating of Doan’s ability to help put them over the top. The fact he turns 36 in October doesn’t seem to be an issue because his presence is as strong on the ice as it is in the room. And what he would mean to the Canucks is obvious.

Regardless, Doan has maintained hope to remain in Phoenix, but his admiration for the front office can’t hide the fact that the franchise is a financial mess in suburban Glendale.

“We’ve talked,” Doan told Kamloops radio station CHNL. “[General manager] Don Maloney and [coach] Dave Tippett have been great. Their hands are pretty much right tied now with the fact that I kind of want to have a little bit more stability than what is there. The reason I want to go back is because of management and the way they’ve kind of set our team up.”

However, the Coyotes’ future remains so murky that the Phoenix Business Journal reported that a candidate for the Glendale mayoral race is calling out Jamison to come clean with his finances. Arizona Rep. Jerry Weiers, R-Glendale, and other mayoral candidates oppose the city’s $300 million, 20-year arena deal with Jamison that would help him purchase the team. Here is what Weiers wrote to Jamison:

Dear Mr. Jamison,

“My name is Jerry Weiers. I am a long-time Glendale resident and a candidate for Glendale Mayor. Most importantly, I am a concerned Glendale resident. In a split vote, the Glendale City Council put our city’s reputation and financial health on the line when it voted to approve a $324 million lease agreement along with hikes in sales and property taxes to keep the Coyotes from leaving Glendale. They did so, in large part, based on your promises as a potential buyer.

Team captain Shane Doan would like to negotiate with other teams if he doesn’t get a straight answer. Apparently, he hasn’t received a straight answer from you. Many fans are hoping he will. Either way, another constituency awaits answers too: Glendale citizens. As with Shane Doan, they deserve respect. Now.

Everyone would like the Coyotes to stay in Glendale, but at what cost? Whether one is for or against it, it is indecent of you not to brief the very taxpayers you intend to take $324 million from.

The time for guessing is over. The time for truth is now. With respect Mr. Jamison, you either have the means and the resources to live up to your promises or you don’t. While I disagree with the lease agreement and the tax hikes, I think those who voted for those controversial measures deserve some straight answers. More importantly, I think the residents of Glendale deserve some straight answers. The sales tax hike is days away from going into effect to bankroll the lease agreement. You have an obligation to let the taxpayers know if you are able to live up to your end of the bargain and keep the Coyotes in our city. If not, you should step out of the way and allow our city to begin a search for an alternative.”

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